To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the total income to each local authority in England and Wales and in total from placements of old people in (a) registered and (b) unregistered independent residential care and nursing homes inside and outside the local authority area and from placements in local authority homes for older people; and if she will break this down by income from (i) government grants (1) inside aggregate external finance and (2) outside AEF, (ii) sales, (iii) fees and charges, (iv) other income and (v) joint arrangements; [18925](2) what is the total expenditure by each local authority in England and Wales on placements of older people in

Information for England in 1992–93, the latest year for which complete information is available, will be placed in the Library. Information for Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to introduce photo-identity passes for registered drug users to ensure that they cannot attend more than one drug-prescribing centre to obtain drug supplies; if she will consider introducing legislation so that all registered drugs users are required to register exclusively with the health authority in whose area they reside and that this health authority maintain a photo-identity record of the registered user; if she will consider supplementing this legislation with a requirement that anyone seeking to register as a drug user must do so through his or her local health authority and must specify a single prescribing centre to attend; if she will legislate to ensure that anyone seeking to register as a drug user must be referred back to his or her local health authority; if she will ensure that cross-referencing within and between health authorities is encouraged and funded; and if she will make a statement. [19009]

I have no such plans at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the private prescription of Temazepam and other drugs is controlled and regulated; what record is kept by (a) doctors and (b) pharmacists of private prescriptions; what plans she has to tighten up the private prescription of Temazepam; and if she will make a statement. [19011]

Temazepam is a prescription-only medicine under the Medicines Act 1968 and is also controlled under schedule 4 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985.When prescribing in a private capacity, general practitioners operate outside the general medical service regulations. It is good professional practice to keep accurate medical records. The General Medical Council has regarded as serious professional misconduct the prescription or supply of drugs of dependence otherwise than in the course of bona fide treatment.When a private prescription is dispensed by a pharmacist an entry must be made in the prescription-only register on the date of dispensing or, if that is not reasonably practicable, on the following day. The register must be preserved for two years after the date of the last entry, and the prescription must be retained for two years from the date on which the prescription-only medicine was supplied, or for a repeat prescription two years from the date on which the prescription was dispensed for the last time.The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985 require that the dispensing pharmacist should retain private prescriptions for controlled drugs for two years from the date of dispensing. They also require that private prescriptions should be produced for inspection on request by the Home Office drugs inspectorate or by other persons authorised to demand this information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to ban Temazepam in its jelly formulation; and if she will make a statement. [19023]

The abuse of Temazepam capsules by drug misusers is of particular concern and we are keeping the position under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines she has issued to health authorities on the prescription of Temazepam; what is the latest date that she issued these guidelines; what guidelines she plans to issue; and if she will make a statement. [19012]

Information about the effects of Temazepam on patients is given in the British National Formulary, which is issued by the Department to all general practitioners free of charge.In 1993, the Department asked family health services authorities to work with local general practitioners to agree local targets on the reduction of all benzodiazepine prescribing.In March 1994, the Department distributed copies of the Mental Health Foundation's booklet "Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Benzodiazepine Dependence" to every family health services authority and recommended their use by general practitioners wishing to help patients who may be dependent on benzodiazepines. The need for further guidance is being kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for each agency and the central Department for which she is responsible (a) the total amount of removal costs and associated expenses reimbursed to officials who were required to relocate as part of their employment, (b) the amount of each of the highest three claims that were concluded and settled and (c) the average amount of each claim in each of the last three years. [19659]

The total cost of relocating Department of Health staff, including agencies, in each year since 1992–93 was £9.4 million, as shown in the table.Information on the highest three claims and the average amount of each claim in each of the last three years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to ensure the continuance of supply of category A drugs used for medical purposes for prescriptions on weekends and bank holidays; and if she will make a statement. [19456]

Family health services authorities are responsible for ensuring that patients have access to an appropriate level of pharmaceutical services in their area at all times, including bank holidays and weekends. Class A drugs such as diamorphine may not be held as stock by all community pharmacies, so where patients requiring them are discharged from secondary care at a weekend, they should be provided with sufficient medicines or suitable arrangements made to ensure cover is available before discharge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the report on solvent abuse from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs will be published; and if she will make a statement. [19947]

We shall publish the report "Volatile Substance Abuse" tomorrow. The report provides a background to solvent abuse, sets out its causes, prevalence and patterns and looks at the toxicology of the substances involved. It goes on to consider issues of prevention, help for misusers and their families, training and planning. We are grateful to the advisory council for producing its thorough and timely report. Copies of the report will be placed in the Library.As a result of the recommendation that the Government should stimulate the establishment of an industry-led forum to consider the misuse potential of its products and how to reduce it, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is writing to industry representatives seeking their assistance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much money has been granted to Oxfordshire health authority to provide HIV-AIDS services for each year since 1990; and what is the planned allocation for 1995–96; [18681](2) which HIV-AIDS specific voluntary sector agencies have received money from Oxfordshire health authority to provide HIV-AIDS services for each year since 1990; how much they have received; and what are the planned allocations for 1995–96; [18682](3) how much money has been granted to Oxfordshire social services to provide HIV-AIDS services for each year since 1990; [18683](4) which HIV-AIDS specific voluntary sector agencies have received money from Oxfordshire social services to provide HIV-AIDS services for each year since 1990; how much they received; and what are the planned allocations for 1995–96. [18684]

Allocations to the national health service for HIV-AIDS services are distributed to regional health authorities. Information on allocations below regional level including allocations from district health authorities to the voluntary sector is not available centrally.Since 1994–95 the scope of the AIDS support grant scheme for local authorities has been confined to community care services for people with HIV-AIDS, with local authority prevention work funded separately under the healthy alliances scheme.Before 1994–95 AIDS support grant allocations were made on an open-ended bidding system. Since 1994–95, however, information became available for the first time on the number of live AIDS cases resident in individual authorities and indicative allocations have since been made on this basis. This allows resources to be targeted more closely to areas of highest prevalence.In moving to the new method for AIDS support grant allocations, it was clear that some authorities had historically received a greater proportion of resources than they were entitled to under the new system. An element of transitional relief for 1994–95 was given to those authorities most affected by the change to the new system.The amounts allocated to Oxfordshire county council under the AIDS support grant scheme and the amounts of grant provided from Oxfordshire social services to HIV-AIDS voluntary sector agencies are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which authorities were unable to spend 85 per cent. of their special transitional grant for 1993–94 in the independent sector. [19409]

We have not yet received all the audited returns of expenditure of the 1993–94 special transitional grant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what amount of special transitional grant was spent by each authority in 1993–94 on non-residential or nursing care. [19410]

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what amount of special transitional grant was spent by each authority in 1993–94 in (a) the private sector and (b) the voluntary sector. [19411]

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the capital asset value of the computing and information technology services included in the market testing—competitive tendering programme for each regional health authority for 1994–95 (a) as recorded on asset registers at 31 March 1994, (b) at project net book value as at 31 March 1994 and (c) as identified in the statement of services requirements of assets likely to be transferred to the successful supplier. [19503]

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many metres of mahogany or products containing it her Department has bought in the last five years; and if she will list the purposes and the costs. [19843]

The information is not available. However, the Department's policy is not to purchase mahogany or other tropical hardwoods. Specifications for the purchase of relevant items are written to exclude the use of these materials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what requirements there are for officials in her Department to introduce a compliance cost assessment for all rules and regulations coming before her and her Ministers; and how many compliance cost assessments have been issued in her Department in the first three months of the year. [19348]

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: The Department follows guidance that applies to all Government Departments. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade today. My Department published one compliance cost assessment in the first three months of this year, copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many rules and regulations she repealed in the first three months of 1995; and how many new rules and regulations were introduced in that period by way of statutory instruments, motions or orders. [19362]

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: Twenty-four rules and regulations were made in the first three months of 1995 of which three revoked earlier instruments, five updated fees and charges and one facilitated competition. One had costs for business.Statutory instruments which were not themselves regulatory, including those dealing with the establishment, dissolution or transfers of property of individual national health service trusts, Orders in Council and commencement orders have been excluded, as have instruments not subject to any parliamentary procedure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money his Department has spent to date on (a) research into road pricing and (b) research into motorway charging. [19878]

To date, the Department of Transport has spent £2.8 million on research into city congestion charging and £1.9 million on research into motorway tolling.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many metres of mahogany or products containing it his Department has brought in the last five years; and if he will list the purposes and the costs. [19845]

My Department does not have this information. Current policy is not to buy mahogany.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about London taxi fares and fees. [20164]

The Secretary of State has made an order increasing London taxi fares by about 4.44 per cent. on average with effect from Saturday 22 April 1995. The new tariff will incorporate a minimum fare of £1.20, including a hire charge of 80p for the first 513 m, 561.22 yd, or 111 seconds. The rate will then be 20p for every 256.5 m, 280.61 yd, or 55.5 seconds up to 6 miles and 20p for each 171 m, 187.07 yd, or 37 seconds thereafter.The Secretary of State has decided that there will be no increase this year in the fees for London taxi driver and vehicle licences, currently £87 and £78 respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons ex-staff of the Transport Research Laboratory are being re-employed either directly or through external agents following recent staff reductions; what is the number of those ex-staff re-employed on a full or part-time basis; and what is the cost of this re-employment. [18704]

This is an operational matter for the Transport Research Laboratory.I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what year the target of new starts for road schemes was last achieved. [19070]

In the year 1994–95.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what factors led to the revision of the national road programme summary of milestones for 1994–95. [19071]

The national road programme summary of milestones for 1994–95 was revised to reflect the priorities set out in the trunk roads in England 1994 review and the resources available following the 1994 Budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to resist the EU negotiating bilateral air agreements until such time as the policy regarding state aid to airlines is identical in each member state; and if he will make a statement. [19914]

It is the Government's policy that member states should remain free to negotiate bilateral air service agreements, except in those cases, for example with Switzerland, where a mandate has been agreed in the Council of Ministers. The Government remain committed to opposing state aid in air transport which distorts competition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work to install phased traffic lights at the White Hart roundabout, Yeading, to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [19485]

This is a matter for the London borough of Ealing, but I understand that it expects to have the signals in place before the end of July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice about rail safety is provided by Railtrack to schools; and what comparable advice was supplied to schools before privatisation. [19440]

Railtrack has continued and developed the previous BR programme of school visits which incorporates talks, discussions and the distribution of a range of support materials. Train drivers and British Transport police officers visit schools regularly, warning children of the danger they can cause to themselves and to others. Besides the dangers of playing on the lines, topics covered include trespass, vandalism, high voltage electricity and stone throwing.Since Railtrack assumed responsibility, anti-trespass and vandalism initiatives, including school visits, have been co-ordinated by the Railtrack zones in co-operation with train operators and the BTP. This has led to an increase in the level of involvement of local managers and in support from communities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional navigational lighting or related equipment is required for a sea-going vessel plying between the Seacon terminal on the Isle of Dogs on the River Thames to any inland port on the River Rhine capable of handling a vessel of up to 2,000 tonnes which are additional to those required by international rules for the sea; and under what authority any such additional requirement would be made. [19769]

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: The requirements for navigational lights on the River Thames conform to international rules as set out in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea in 1972. There are no additional requirements.The requirements for navigational lights in German inland waters are matters for the German authorities. It is for the owners and operators of ships operating between the UK and ports on the Rhine to ensure that they are aware of any localised navigational regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library copies, with or without the relevant names, of the contract of employment, and terms of reference and duties of (a) the chief and deputy chief inspectors of marine accidents, and (b) those of their other inspectors; and what is the civil service or other basis of their remuneration and terms of employment. [19763]

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: The chief inspector of marine accidents has been employed on a contract since 3 January 1989 which has been extended until 31 December 1996. He is employed as a grade 5 in the salary range £36,739 to £54,815.The deputy chief inspector of marine accidents is a grade 6 who is employed on standard conditions and the salary range is £28,213 to £47,044.There are three principal inspector of marine accidents who are employed in the grade 7 salary range £24,724 to £38,290. There are six inspectors of marine accidents who are employed in the salary range £20,454 to £32,752. They are employed on standard civil service terms of employment.The marine accident investigation branch is responsible for investigating accidents occurring to or on UK-registered ships and other ships in UK territorial waters, with the objective of improving safety of life at sea.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what persons or body appointed the chief and deputy chief inspectors of marine accidents of the marine accident investigation branch of his Department; and if he will list the experience, professional qualifications and the previous appointments in the field of marine investigation of each inspector. [19762]

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: The Secretary of State for Transport appoints the chief and deputy chief inspector of marine accidents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what means the chief inspector of marine accidents has discharged his statutory duty of publishing collective summaries of the investigations made by his branch; and if he will list the date and reference of each such report. [19764]

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: Collective summaries of investigations were published on the following dates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if the collision at Tower bridge, London at 02.30 on 18 October 1981 between the pleasure launch Hurlingham and the overtaking dredger vessel Bowtrader was referred to in the report to him of his marine accident investigation branch into the collision between the Bowbelle and the Marchioness in August 1989; if he will list the date and nature of specific action taken by his Department consequent to that collision; what assessment was made by his responsible officials of the likelihood of its repetition; and what assessment he has made of the similarities and dissimilarities between the circumstances and consequences of that collision and that occurring near Southwark bridge on 20 August 1989; [19766](2) what action was taken by any part of his Department on, or in respect of, crafts or ships on the River Thames subsequent to the collision between the passenger launch Hurlingham and the dredger Bowtrader at 02.30 on 18 October 1981 in respect of

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: The case of the collision between the pleasure launch Hurlingham and the dredger Bowtrader on 18 October 1981 is dealt with in annexe 11 of the chief inspector's report; the similarities and differences relating to earlier incidents are discussed in section 15 of the report. The incident was investigated by the casualty branch of the surveyor general's organisation and discussions held with the Port of London authority. The Department's surveyors were alerted to the problems of the view from the rear of the wheelhouse in vessels such as the Hurlingham and advised to consider this aspect in relation to survey and inspection of both new and existing vessels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what procedures were available prior to the establishment of the marine accident investigation branch in July 1989 for preliminary internal and non-public but published investigation, comparable to that mounted by it in respect of the Marchioness disaster, that would also assist him in deciding whether to initiate a full public inquiry authorised by the Merchant Shipping Acts. [19761]

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: Section 55 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1970 provided for a preliminary inquiry to be held by a person appointed for the purpose by the Secretary of State. PI reports were not published but lessons learnt might be promulgated through merchant shipping notices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he received the main report of the chief inspector of marine accidents into the collision between the Bowbelle and the Marchioness on 20 August 1989; when he decided and on what grounds, that the nature of the report was such as to not require a full and formal inquiry under the Merchant Shipping Acts; when he first made that decision public and by what means; when he published the chief inspector's report; and what persons or bodies he consulted prior to his decision not to hold a full public inquiry. [19767]

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: My right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Transport received the report of the chief inspector of marine accidents on 5 June 1990. The report was published on 15 August 1991 and in December that year my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Transport announced the Hayes inquiry into river safety. On publication of the Hayes report in July 1992, in an oral statement made in this House on 9 July 1992, Official Report, columns 698–704, I said there was no case for a formal investigation because, as far as we were aware, all the facts had been established and no useful purpose would be served by such an inquiry. When making his decision, there is no requirement for the Secretary of State for Transport to consult other parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list each occasion when a Minister of the Crown indicated that it was not the intention of Her Majesty's Government to initiate an inquiry into the collision of the Marchioness and the Bowbelle on 20 August 1989 (a) orally in Parliament, (b) by written answer, (c) in writing to an hon. Member, (d) in writing to a relative of any deceased, or their legal representative and (e) in formal interview or deputation, stating in respect of any of the above any reason for declining to act other than the claim that no further or significant evidence had been drawn to his attention which had not already been contained, or dealt with, in the report from his marine accident investigation branch. [19771]

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, in the light of the recommendations made by the jury at the completion of the inquest into the death of persons aboard the Marchioness on 20 August 1989, he will reconsider his refusal to initiate a review of the rescue arrangements on the Thames by an independent person as recommended by John W. Haynes Esq., in his report to him of July 1992, Cm 1991. [19770]

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: Thames rescue arrangements have been kept under review since the Marchioness disaster and we do not propose to initiate a further independent review. The London emergency services liaison panel has recently published new procedures for dealing with major incidents on the River Thames, with the police as co-ordinators of the emergency response. The river users liaison safety sub-committee of the London district marine safety committee has also completed a review of craft available for rescue throughout the tidal Thames and made recommendations for the provision of lifesaving appliances, grab-chains and warning signs along the river banks. We are giving urgent and careful attention to the recommendations made by the jury at the Marchioness inquest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, in respect of the activity of the inspector primarily responsible for investigating the collision between the Marchioness and the Bowbelle near Southwark bridge on 20 August 1989, he will list (a) the witnesses interviewed at the initiative of the inspector, (b) those who directly or indirectly approached his marine accident investigation branch, and (c) others who have given evidence in any court and inquest relating to this event; and, in relation to those named in lists (b) and (c), if he will give the occasion and date on which they made the approach or gave evidence. [19772]

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: The MAIB inquiry team obtained evidence either orally or in the form of written statements from well over 100 people. In the case of most of the survivors, the statements were those made to the police. It is not normal practice to provide a list of witnesses. My Department does not have any responsibility for keeping records of those who have given evidence in courts which are outside the jurisdiction of my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport at what times the operations manager of South Coast Shipping and the officers of the Metropolitan police boarded the dredger Bowbelle on 20 January 1989, as referred to in his answer of 11 January 1994, Official Report, column 133; by what means; and if those times were recorded in the ship's log. [19780]

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: The exact time at which such persons boarded Bowbelle and by what means is not known to my Department except that it was while the vessel was anchored in Gallions reach. She was at anchor between 03.25 hours and approximately 04.45 hours on 20 August 1989. There is no record in the ship's official log book nor in the deck log book of such persons boarding Bowbelle on 20 August 1989.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the statutory bases of the marine accident investigation branch; when, for what reason and by whom it was proposed that it replace some of the functions of the surveyor general's organisation; who was consulted about the change; and what documents relating to its creation were placed before Parliament for information or approval prior to, or at the time of, its inception. [19760]

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: The marine accident investigation branch was established under section 33 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 and operates under the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 1994. The then Secretary of State for Transport proposed its establishment in the Merchant Shipping Bill published in 1987. The reasons for this proposal were set out in paragraphs 47 to 52 of "Merchant Shipping: Legislative Proposals," Cm 239, published in October 1987. Parliament was consulted about the change, and the' relevant legislation—including the Merchant Shipping (Accident Investigation) Regulations 1989, since superseded—was placed before it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what agreement, regulation or similar instrument of the International Maritime Organisation prohibits, with or without specific application, the introduction of local navigation byelaws, additional to international arrangements otherwise in force, for those parts of ports or navigable waterways possessing acknowledged and particular hazards to safe navigation. [19768]

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: None. Harbour authorities have powers to regulate navigation in waters within their jurisdiction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in respect of the trunk road schemes which have been assessed by the use of the cost-benefit analysis method since 1979 and which have now been constructed what was (a) the capital cost of the scheme as included in the COBA assessment submitted to the public inquiry, (b) the net present value of the scheme as calculated in that assessment, (c) the actual capital cost of building the scheme and (d) the net present value of the scheme of the COBA assessment submitted to the public inquiry, if it had used the actual capital costs of the scheme in the calculation. [17786]

This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon Member.

To ask the Attorney-General what investigation the Serious Fraud Office has made or is carrying out into Robertson Associates or Robertsons Research. [14528]

The Serious Fraud Office is investigating the affairs of Butte Mining plc, and the circumstances under which the company was floated on the stock exchange in October 1987. The circumstances surrounding the issue of listing particulars for a further share issue in April 1988 are also under consideration. This involves scrutiny of several other companies, but it is the practice of the Serious Fraud Office not to give operational details of continuing investigations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the capital asset value of the computing and information technology services included in the market testing—competitive tendering programme for each regional health authority for 1994–95 (a) as recorded on asset registers at 31 March 1994, (b) at project net book value as at 31 March 1994 and (c) as identified in the statement of services requirements of assets likely to be transferred to the successful supplier.

Nil.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sums have been expanded on the bridge strengthening programme in Northern Ireland; what are the estimates for 1995–96; when he expects the programme to be completed; and if he will list the bridges replaced, the cost of each bridge, the original estimate and which bridges and at what cost have still to be replaced; and if he will list the number of sites where replacement work is in progress.

In the last three years, expenditure on the bridge assessment and strengthening programme has been as follows:

• 1992–93: £1,850,000
• 1993–94: £5,072,000
• 1994–95: £6,249,000

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment his Department has made of the damage being done to British wildlife by feral mink. [17921]

This matter is in the hands of the Government's statutory scientific adviser, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the number of houses in England which are unfit for human habitation. [17929]

According to the statutory definition, in 1991 there were 1.5 million such dwellings. Half these are unfit on only one item and we estimate that one third of the properties could be made fit for less than £500.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will amend the bidding guidance for the single regeneration budget to specify more clearly the criteria which will be given greatest weight when determining the success or otherwise of an application. [17930]

The criteria for assessing bids for financial support from the SRB challenge fund are contained in the updated bidding guidance which was published on 12 April 1995 and copies of which have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines he issues in respect of the single regeneration bid to recognise the needs of refugees. [19461]

The guidance to bidders for the second round of the single regeneration budget challenge fund was released on 12 April 1995. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House. The guidance does not refer explicitly to support for projects to meet the needs of refugees, although such projects could fall within the challenge fund's objectives where they form part of a local regeneration strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many bids to help refugees, including bids from the Refugee Council, (a) failed and (b) succeeded under the single regeneration bid. [19460]

Information is not specifically collected about unsuccessful and successful bids for support from the single regeneration budget challenge fund which are aimed at helping refugees, since most challenge fund bids address a range of objectives. However, about a third of the 201 successful challenge fund bids are specifically intended to benefit minority ethnic communities. Some of these bids are likely to include help for refugees.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions his Department has held with the Department of Employment about the future of the Rural Development Commission's direct training scheme; and if he will make a statement. [17931]

I have met my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Employment to discuss this issue. The Rural Development Commission has identified an outline plan for alternative provision, and is investigating the scope for supporting young people on the new entrants training scheme through modern apprenticeships. The commission is now developing detailed proposals in consultation with officials from both Departments.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received regarding the North sea. [17932]

Campaign literature from organisations such as Greenpeace, Seas at Risk, the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and a few letters from members of the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent discussions he has had with representatives of other Governments about the pollution of the earth's atmosphere and its likely effect on the climate; and if he will make a statement. [17933]

During the Berlin conference of the parties to the climate change convention, which ended on 7 April, I had numerous discussions with representatives of other Governments, particularly during intensive negotiations on future commitments under the convention. The mandate which was adopted is consistent with United Kingdom and European Union objectives and opens the way for reductions of greenhouse gas emissions by developed countries in the period after 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has of the increased average temperature of Reddish and of Denton in Greater Manchester over the next 10, 25 and 50 years. [17936]

Specific estimates of future temperatures are not available for local areas in the United Kingdom. The Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research has predicted that the average temperature for the UK as a whole could increase by 0.1 deg C, 0.5 deg C and 1 deg C over the next 10, 25 and 50 years respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his plans for the development of compulsory competitive tendering in housing management. [17934]

We have put in place the legislative framework extending compulsory competitive tendering to housing management. The first contracts are due to be in operation from April 1996. I am pleased to say that local authorities are making good progress with their preparations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what he can do to encourage high standards of urban design and ensure new developments enhance urban landscapes. [17935]

I will shortly launch a national campaign to promote consideration of urban design and its contribution to the quality of the built environment. The campaign will focus on specific sites where development is anticipated, and will help to assess how greater attention to urban design issues can help to ensure new development fits successfully into the existing built environment.The urban design campaign is an example of action stemming from my Department's initiative "Quality in Town and Country" which seeks to encourage debate and stimulate ideas about what Government and others can do to help achieve quality in the built environment, in city, town and village.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress there has been with the large-scale voluntary transfer of council housing to housing associations. [17937]

Forty local authorities have transferred almost 180,000 dwellings, generating over £2.6 billion in private finance. The 1995–96 disposals programme includes a further 13 authorities and 51,000 dwellings. We are working with metropolitan authorities to identify ways of taking the policy forward in urban areas as well.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his further proposals to reconsider unitary status for former county boroughs. [17939]

We shall direct the Local Government Commission to conduct reviews of nine districts, four of which were, or contained within their areas, former county boroughs. We are also looking at the case for referring other districts to the commission, some of which are former county boroughs. We intend that the reviews should begin in early July, when Sir David Cooksey takes up his appointment as chairman of the commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his latest plans for changes to the area cost adjustment. [17940]

We have commissioned research which may enable us to take a fresh look at the boundaries of the zones used in the calculation of the area cost adjustment. The findings of this research will be discussed with the local authority associations in the summer.The local authority associations may put forward other possible methodology changes for discussion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department will be maintaining a dialogue with environmental green groups before and during the passage of the Environment Bill through the Commons; and if he will make a statement. [17941]

On 13 October, my right hon. Friend published the draft clauses and schedules in respect of the environment agency. This allowed interested parties a chance to inform themselves of the details of the proposed legislation before it was introduced to Parliament. Subsequently, both Ministers and officials have met with various groups, including environmental groups, on the provisions contained within the Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he has of corruption in local government. [17942]

There are cases where a local authority auditor is investigating allegations of corruption, but everyone is innocent until proved guilty. Criminal proceedings are, of course, a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the future of the London Docklands development corporation. [17943]

The London Docklands development corporation is pursuing a phased withdrawal from the docklands urban development area to be concluded on 31 March 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish details from each Government Department of expenditure on energy and energy efficiency measures incurred during 1993–94 with reference to total expenditure on energy (£), total energy used (kwh), energy expenditure per M²(£), the standard performance indicator, expenditure on energy efficiency measures (£), total floor area of Government Departments, and percentage progress on £/m relative to 1992–93. [19117]

Yes. Some points of detail are still being verified with Departments, but I expect the data to be available shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ask the Director General of Ofwat to explain his failure to reply to the letter dated 18 January from the hon. Member for Aylesbury about cesspool emptying charges; and if he will make a statement. [19084]

This is a matter for the Director General of Water Services. However, I understand that he will reply to the hon. Member's letter shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each agency and the central Department for which he is responsible (a) the total hours of overtime worked for which overtime has been paid, (b) the total amount paid in overtime and (c) the total time in days and its monetary equivalent lost through sickness in each of the last three years. [119688]

The following information covers staff in my Department, excluding Ordnance Survey and PSA Services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to seek to extend the right to buy their homes to tenants of all housing associations; and if he will make a statement. [19706]

We are looking at a range of options to encourage more housing association tenants to become home owners and will be consulting in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new proposals he has to tackle North sea pollution. [17907]

To continue and develop the measures agreed by the first, second and third North sea conferences which have been successfully addressing the protection of the North sea environment since 1983.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has concluded, in the light of the recommendations of the deregulation task forces, whether the scope of the building regulations in England and Wales should be widened to address electrical safety. [20162]

After consideration of this issue, the Building Regulations Advisory Committee has recommended that more detailed work should be undertaken on a proposal that electrical safety should be introduced into the building regulations for work which already has to be notified to building control authorities. I have accepted this recommendation and have asked for additional studies to be undertaken to identify the costs, benefits and practical implications.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further information he has made available to local authorities about standard spending assessments for 1995–96. [20163]

A publication, "Standard Spending Assessment Handbook 1995–96", has been produced to provide details of the standard spending assessment of each local authority. Copies have today been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies have also been sent to every local authority in England, and to the local authority associations.The tables from the handbook are being made available in computer-readable form.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to change the rules and practices relating to council charge capping; and if he will make a statement. [17938]

My right hon. Friend has no such plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of the contracting parties to the first review of the intergovernmental convention on climate change held in Berlin recently. [18262]

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to my answer given to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) earlier today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what work is being done by the United Nations Development Programme to produce an analysis of the problems of Sierra Leone, and what is the timetable of action that will be followed by the United Nations to act on that analysis. [18669]

We are not aware of any specific analysis. However, UNDP, along with other development agencies, is involved in assisting the Government of Sierra Leone both in the transition to democratic rule and in tackling their development and humanitarian problems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much development aid is being given by the United Kingdom to South Africa in 1994–95 and 1995–96 (a) as bilateral aid, (b) through the European development fund and (c) through other multi-lateral initiative. [18878]

Bilateral aid expenditure in 1994–95 is estimated to be £15 million. In 1995–96 we expect expenditure to be about £20 million. EC aid to South Africa is provided not through the European development fund but under a specific line in the EC's budget. The UK share of the EC allocation was about £15 million in 1994 and about £17 million for 1995. To date, no loans have been made by the World bank or African development bank; our contributions through the various United Nations programmes are not readily attributable to individual countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his written answer of 27 March, Official Report, column 444, for what reason expenditure on the Pergau dam project was not listed in table 1 on page 34 of the supply estimates, class II for 1991–92, HC 236–II; and under which subhead of which vote parliamentary authority was sought for expenditure in 1991–92. [18706]

Table I of the 1991–92 estimate for class II, vote 5 lists projects on which expenditure had been incurred up to March 1991. This project became effective only in July 1991. Expenditure in 1991–92 was incurred under class II, vote 5, subhead A2.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the contribution United Kingdom aid makes to the protection and conservation of the natural environment in recipient countries. [18714]

The Government's activities and achievements in this area under the aid programme are described in the 1995 department report, Cm 2802, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. A more detailed progress report on ODA's work, including help with tackling environmental problems, will be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the budget for 1994–95 for expenditure on emergency engineering assistance in the former Yugoslavia; what is the proposed budget for 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [18796]

The ODA's expenditure on emergency infrastructure engineering in the former Yugoslavia in 1994–95 was £7.5 million.The total budget for 1995–96 has not yet been fixed, but ODA is continuing to fund its engineering programmes. Security permitting, the work will continue to address prevailing humanitarian needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether it is appropriate to the United Kingdom's role in the world that he should attend the meeting of the Commission on Sustainable Development this year. [18352]

[holding answer 18 April 1995]: The Department of Environment co-ordinates the United Kingdom's activities in relation to the Commission on Sustainable Development. The United Kingdom delegation will be led by the Secretary of State for the Environment. He will be supported by officials from a number of Government Departments, including the FCO.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which projects and programmes he has allocated the funding no longer allocated to the aid and trade provision projects in Turkey, Botswana and Indonesia in the financial year 1994–95. [19275]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Eccles (Miss Lestor) on 5 April 1995, Official Report, column 1120.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which projects and programmes he will allocate the funding (a) no longer allocated to the Pergau dam and (b) no longer allocated to the aid and trade provision projects in Turkey, Botswana and Indonesia in the 1995–96 financial year. [19276]

These funds have been absorbed into the overall aid budget and allocated according to ODA's priorities and objectives as set out in the 1995 FCO-ODA departmental report, Cm 2802, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many projects involving the development of co-operatives in central and eastern Europe have been initiated through funds provided by the British Government through the know-how funds or otherwise; what is the total amount of money provided by the Government for training and development of co-operatives in central and eastern Europe; and what figures are available for the number of co-operatives and co-operative jobs generated by these funds. [19067]

Since 1990, £1,154,050 has been committed from the know-how fund in support of eight projects to assist farmers and banking co-operatives in Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland and Ukraine. The European Union's PHARE programme has allocated a further 16.5 million ecu, the UK share of which is around 16 per cent. for the development of co-operatives and the training of staff in the agricultural sector. There are no figures available for the number of co-operatives and co-operative jobs generated by these funds.Many state-run co-operatives have been abolished as part of the reform process in former communist Europe. The know-how fund has targeted its assistance on institutions which can survive in the environment of a market economy but require help in the short term with the transformation from the state to the private sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has received to alter the year in which the intergovernmental conference is to be held under the Maastricht treaty. [19481]

Under the terms of the Maastricht treaty on European Union, article N(2), the intergovernmental conference will be convened in 1996. I have received no formal proposals to alter this schedule.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many advisers his Department employs broken down to show (a) political advisers and (b) economic advisers; at what grade and salary they are employed; and what are their minimum working hours in each case. [19423]